Travis Ishikawa Exercises Opt Out Clause

TUESDAY: Orioles general manager Dan Duquette tells Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com that the team is "leaning toward" adding Ishikawa to the roster, but nothing has been finalized yet. The team has until midnight to make a decision (Twitter link).

SUNDAY: Travis Ishikawa has filed a written request to exercise his opt-out clause and become a free agent, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). The Orioles have 48 hours to add Ishikawa to their 25-man Major League roster, or he will be granted his release from the organization. The Orioles could also trade Ishikawa during this 48-hour period, MLBTR has learned.

As reported by MLBTR last week, Ishikawa had the ability to opt-out of his contract on Saturday. While he has performed quite well at Triple-A Norfolk, the O's haven't been able to find room for him on the roster. The 29-year-old has a .316/.413/.525 slash line with seven homers in 208 Triple-A plate appearances.